My old lady cat has stopped eating and drinking *ANOTHER SAD UPDATE*

[mrbstephens]

My cat is 15 years old. She had a benign tumor removed from her neck a few months ago and recovered fine. She's also been struggling with constipation on and off. Just last night I realized I hadn't seen her come inside to eat or drink in a day or so. I checked for her under her favorite bush and she seemed fine laying down in there. Later on I picked her up and put her in front of her food and water, but she wouldn't have anything to do with it. She was also having trouble with her back legs. I layed her down on a blanket and gave her two eye droppers full of water. She kept it down, but still won't eat. I tried giving her milk and cut up chicken, but she just turned away from it. She's also breathing in a manner that looks like she's in pain or struggling. She's also lost a ton of wait this summer and right now looks emaciated. I'm thinking this is it for her, but I just want her to be comfortable. I don't want to bring her to the vet, because it's probably already to late and any additional stress would probably do her in anyway. I'm so sad. She was my first baby.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

If you would rather not have the vet put her down, then you could maybe get some pain meds. Since she isn't eating, you maybe could get a suppository. Then you would just hold her, or let her cuddle up in her favorite spot, until she is either through this, or passes. Either way, I would probably see what the vet has to say. At this late hour, you would have to see an emergency vet or wait til tomorrow. Do your best to make her comfortable, at any rate. Good luck. I know this is really hard.

 

[cafarmgirl]

If it were my cat and she were still alive tomorrow I would have the vet see her. With her symptoms she could have anything from a major hairball to some kind of tumor. Cats are very, very good at hiding all their symptoms so when they finally appear sick then they are very sick. No matter what is wrong the vet can either help with pain management or can euthanize her if there is nothing that can be done. At least she will not suffer longer.

Sorry you are going thru this, I've lost a couple of old kitties in the last year and it never gets any easier to make the decision.

 

[Imp]

So sorry! I had the same thing happen a few months ago with my old cat Retro. He passed a couple hours before his visit to the vet. I don't think he was in pain, so I was glad he got to pass at home. A vet would be a good idea if you think there's any hope or she's in pain.

Imp

 

[mrbstephens]

I would imagine they'd suggest euthanizing her. The last time I did this with my dying cat he died in the car on the way. I think it would have been a lot better if he had died in the comfort of our home.

 

[CityClucks]

My 15 year old male cat did this same thing a couple of months ago - not interested in food, but was drinking water. I had just lost another older cat to a stroke, and I was afraid this cat (Vincent) was dying, too. I didn't know whether to just let him pass away on his own or try to keep him alive. Just to be sure, I took him to the vet and discovered that he had lost a lot of teeth - he could no longer eat the hard cat food. But he didn't seem interested in canned food, either. I force fed him about 3 oz of baby food (turkey) with a syringe a couple of times a day. I did this for about 3 days and he got better. He is now learning to eat canned food - but it's easiest for him and he eats more if I blend the cat food with chicken broth into a liquid for him to lap up.

I hope your cat gets better.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Maybe you could get a benedryl down her. It would make her relax/sleep enough to get her to the vet without over stressing her.

I have already spoken to my vet about when it comes time to lead mine to the bridge. She has agreed to let me have the meds to give them the shot at home.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Many people don't understand. She is part of your life, part of who you are. Will keep you both in my prayers

 

[mrbstephens]

Quote:
Hmmm. that's lucky that you were able to help him. My cat had been to the vet recently for the removal of a benign tumor on her neck and they said she was in pretty good shape considering her age. I'm thinking she may have an intestinal tumor. She's still purring when I pet her so she must be comfortable enough. I'll just keep giving her water for now and see how she is in the morning.

 

[patandchickens]

Could be something fixable, could be un-fixable, just hard to tell. Having trouble breathing is not a good sign.

If you want to try to get some nutrition into her in hopes she'll rally, try a large pet store (e.g. Petsmart) for a tube of NutriCal For Cats, it's like hairball stuff but contains more fats and sugars and vitamins and most cats are happy to lick it off your finger or their paw even if they won't eat anything else. Tuna in oil (just a tiny bit of the oil) would be another thing to try.

But, you're the one who knows the cat and is there and can see wht she's like; certainly if you feel it's her time, I for one would 100% support your just trying to make her as comfortable as possible for the inevitable.

Have you asked around (incl. look in phone book) to see whether there is a vet around who'd do house calls, even ask your regular vet if you could work something out? I know that is not *usual*, but some vets are willing to do it for long-term clients with old pets, and you can sometimes be surprised about the existence of someone offering a mobile practice.

I was faced with unexpectedly having to euthanize my older, thyroid-problems cat while she was with us visiting my folks in PA last month, and in looking thru the phone book for nearby vets was *astonished* to find a listing for a mobile practice. It was someone who had a regular daytime vet clinic job but did evening housecalls to pick up extra money. So I was able to have her come to the house and put Cattleya down; it didn't work as well as one might've hoped because there was trouble finding a vein but that would've happened at a clinic too and I was really, really glad to be able to spare Cattley a last stressful trip to the vet and let her die in familiar surroundings. But I sure would never have GUESSED there'd be anyone in that area offering that service. So, it is worth some active research if you think it might come to that.

Sympathies and big hug,

Pat

 

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

I'm sorry you are going through this.

If you do decide at some point that it is time to put her down, would your vet come to your home?

When I had to put down my 14 y/o German Shepherd, I was adamant that I wouldn't put him through the stress of the vet's office. Fortunately, my vet came to my house, soothed my tortured soul, was so gentle with my Sabre. I lay down and cuddled with Sabre on the floor while the vet did what he had to and Sabre quietly died in my arms.

My cats are 16 and 18 and if the decision has to be made for them, I would do it this way again.

Cheryl